Adult Recognition
FWL: 6.0-12.5 mm
Forewings are gray with reddish brown to dark brown markings. Hindwings are grayish brown to dark brown. This species' common name is derived from the tufts of dark raised scales on the forewings. Labial palpi are elongate in both sexes. Males have a forewing costal fold.
The combination of elongate labial palpi and grayish forewings with reddish-brown markings is sufficient to separate this species from most other North American Tortricidae. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity.
Larval Morphology
Late instar larvae are approximately 13-18 mm in length with a brownish-green abdomen. The head and prothoracic shield are brown with dark-brown mottling on the head and lateral shading on the shield. An anal comb is present with 5-8 teeth.
MacKay (1962) stated that larvae of Platynota could be separated from similar species of Sparganothis by the small dorsal pinacula on A1-8, which are slightly elongate and cream colored in living individuals.
Biology
Platynota idaeusalis completes two generations per year. Adults are present May-July and again in August-September.
Females deposit eggs in large masses that contain approximately 100 individual eggs on the upper surface of leaves. Early instars construct a silk web on the underside of a leaf along the midrib and feed inside. Later instars feed within a shelter constructed of rolled, folded, or tied leaves. Larvae can cause fruit damage by webbing leaves to fruit and feeding on the surface of the fruit. Larval feeding can lead to early fruit drop as well as cosmetic damage. Pupation occurs in a folded or rolled leaf.
Host plants
Platynota idaeusalis is a pest of apple in the eastern U.S., although the diverse list of host plants suggests that the larvae are general feeders.
| Family | Genus/species | Common name |
| Asteraceae | Vernonia noveboracensis (L.) Michx. | New York ironweed |
| Betulaceae | Betula L. | birch |
| Caprifoliaceae | Viburnum prunifolium L. | blackhaw |
| Cornaceae | Cornus drummondii C. A. Mey. | roughleaf dogwood |
| Ericaceae | Vaccinium L. | blueberry |
| Moraceae | Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid. | osage orange |
| Oleaceae | Fraxinus nigra Marsh. | black ash |
| Pinaceae | Pinus banksiana Lamb. | jack pine |
| Ranunculaceae | Clematis L. | leather flower |
| Rosaceae | Malus Mill. | apple |
| Rosaceae | Malus pumila Mill. | paradise apple |
| Rosaceae | Prunus persica (L.) Batsch | peach |
| Rosaceae | Rubus idaeus L. | American red raspberry |
| Rosaceae | Rubus L. | blackberry |
| Salicaceae | Salix L. | willow |
| Solanaceae | Solanum L. | nightshade |
| Vitaceae | Vitis L. | grape |
Distribution
Platynota idaeusalis is widely distributed in eastern North America and is also found in the Pacific Northwest. Although not documented, it likely occurs throughout all of northern United States and southern Canada.
References
Boyne, J. V., G. C. Rock and L. A. Nelson. 1985. Diapause in Platynota idaeusalis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Effects of temperature, photoperiod, and time of inoculation in the field on diapause termination. Environmental Entomology. 14: 790-796.
Chapman, P. J. and S. E. Lienk. 1971. Tortricid fauna of apple in New York (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); including an account of apple's occurrence in the state, especially as a naturalized plant. Spec. Publ. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 122 pp.
Hogmire, H. W. and A. J. Howitt. 1979. The bionomics of the tufted apple budmoth, Platynota idaeusalis in Michigan. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 72: 121-126.
MacKay, M. R. 1962. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The Canadian Entomologist Supplement 28: 1-182.
